Staying inspired
Our normal lives may be on hold for the time being, but there are ways you can bring nature into your homes or learn about the environment. Here are some suggestions to help you keep up your spirits during the lockdown.
Staying in touch with nature
Staying in touch with nature during the coronavirus lockdown might seem a tricky thing to achieve while we are being told to stay away from each other, avoid unnecessary travel and exercise locally. However, there are still many ways we can experience our natural environment, even if you have limited local access to greenspace. Chris Packham, for example, has launched an online birdwatching community called the Self Isolation Bird Club, to offer an escape for those self-isolating due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. Drawing people together to focus on enjoying and engaging with wildlife, Chris has created a space for wildlife-lovers across Twitter and Facebook to share their findings with one another. From beautiful blue tits in the garden to the sound of robins singing, the videos and photos are celebrating the best of the great outdoors — and it’s easy for everyone to get involved. You can join the thousands of nature watchers taking part through the Facebook page he’s set up, the Self-Isolating Bird Club . Chris is also live-streaming from the New Forest at 9 am every morning.
Farmers launch #LockdownLearning initiative for home education
Farmers and growers from across Britain are hoping to inspire and educate children about food and where it comes from as a part of a new #LockdownLearning project. The free, online resource comes as thousands of parents are now home-schooling their children due to the coronavirus. The project, which was developed by the NFU and the team of farmers at EatFarmNow, provides exciting educational farming activities for children while they are away from school, helping to build their knowledge of science and technology alongside learning all about food production. Children will hear first-hand about how their food gets from farm to fork, with well-known farming faces such as Countryfile’s Adam Henson and TV presenter Jimmy Doherty documenting their farming journey through online videos and social media. The project will focus on different themes over the next four weeks, starting with an Easter theme for over the Easter holiday and then focusing on horticulture, food and technology in agriculture. Educational resources designed by the NFU’s education team of former teachers will be available for parents to use, as well as activities from other educational farming programmes.
Bumblebee Conservation Trust Learning Zone
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust has a range of free educational activities designed for children and young persons from age 4 to 11+ to develop their knowledge and understanding of bumblebees, the challenges and threats they face, and how children can become a guardian of bumblebees to secure their future.
